Information center for a household appliance

ABSTRACT

An information center for a household appliance and more particularly to an information center having an image display and a data connectors having alternative support features for mounting to an appliance or to a horizontal surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/619,731, filed Jan. 4, 2007, entitled “ADAPTER AND CONSUMERELECTRONIC DEVICE FUNCTIONAL UNIT.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an information center for a householdappliance—and more particularly to an information center having an imagedisplay and a data connectors having alternative support features formounting to an appliance or to a horizontal surface.

Traditionally, appliances, consumer electronic devices, and other usefulhousehold machinery is located in a room dedicated to the functionsupported by the appliance. For example, the kitchen has traditionallybeen limited to a space for preparing and eating meals and consequentlyhas been mostly occupied by cabinetry and large home appliances such asrefrigerators, dishwashers, and ovens. The family room has beendesignated as a place for leisure activities, and so most entertainmentdevices, such as televisions and video games are commonly found here.Laundry rooms normally house a washer, dryer, and iron. Devices such aspersonal computers and printers are often located in another room, suchas a dedicated home office or bedroom.

Consumers increasingly own multiple hand-held or portable consumerelectronic devices, such as laptops, cell phones, PDAs, and digitalmusic players. These devices are typically used in many different roomsin the house and are often carried from room to room throughout thehome. Consumers also tend to perform non-traditional tasks in thetraditional rooms of the home. For example, consumers also tend to eatin the living room or media room, instead of the dining room. Consumerstend to eat, meet and entertain in the kitchen, not just the dining roomand family room. In fact, the kitchen is often the hub of most householdactivity. Consumers also tend to work in every room of the home with theadoption of laptop computers and wireless networks.

Therefore, there is a trend for consumers to perform non-traditionalfunctions in a household room designed for a traditional function. Theinvention recognizes this trend and attempts to support the trend.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An information center is disclosed for use in connection with anappliance. The information center has a base comprising a first supportmember adapted to connect the image display to the appliance, a secondsupport member adapted to alternatively support the base on a horizontalsurface, and a connector for receiving data. The information centerfurther includes an image display mounted to the base and adapted toreceive and display data from the connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a modular system comprising ahost, an adapter, and a consumer electronic device.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a configuration of the modularsystem from FIG. 1, showing the consumer electronic device coupled withthe host via the adapter.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side illustration of the modular system from FIG.1, showing the adapter and consumer electronic device exploded from thehost.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the modularsystem of FIG. 1 comprising a refrigerator as the host, the adapter, anda digital image display as the consumer electronic device.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the modular system of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the adapter and the digital imagedisplay, which form a functional unit, of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view similar to FIG. 6 with a rear accesspanel of the functional unit removed.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the modular system of FIG. 1 when thefunctional unit comprising the adapter and the consumer electronicdevice is coupled to the host.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the adapter and the digital image display ofFIG. 4 removed from the host and supported by a stand on a generallyhorizontal surface.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the modular system of FIG. 1 when thefunctional unit comprising the adapter and the consumer electronicdevice is removed from the host.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 6 of another embodiment ofthe adapter and digital image display.

FIG. 12 is a front view of another embodiment of the modular system ofFIG. 1 comprising a refrigerator as the host, the adapter, and an audiodevice as the consumer electronic device.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the modular systemof FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic illustration of a modular system 10according to the invention is shown and comprises at least one host 12,at least one adapter 14, and at least one consumer electronic device 16.The host 12 and the consumer electronic device 16 cannot be directlycoupled with each other, and thus are indirectly coupled via the adapter14. The term “coupled” as used herein includes any type of connectionthat permits a transfer of a service, as hereinafter defined, betweenany combination of the host 12, adapter 14, and consumer electronicdevice 16. The term “coupled” includes both a fixed and removablecoupling, unless expressly stated otherwise.

The host 12 performs a primary function and can provide or receive atleast one service to or from the adapter 14 or the consumer electronicdevice 16. The host 12 can be an appliance, and the primary function canbe performing a series of steps to conduct a useful cycle of operation.The host 12 can also comprise a structural feature of a building, suchas a wall. Preferably, the appliance is a conventional householdappliance, such as a refrigerator performing a cooling cycle or an icemaking cycle. Other examples of appliances the host 12 can compriseinclude, but are not limited to, a freezer, a microwave oven, adishwashing machine, a stove, a range, an air conditioner, adehumidifier, a water heater, a furnace, a clothes washing machine, aclothes dryer, a clothes refreshing machine, and a non-aqueous washingapparatus, or any combination thereof.

The consumer electronic device 16 is a device that also performs aprimary function. In most cases, the primary function of the consumerelectronic device is different from the primary function performed bythe host 12. Examples of the consumer electronic device 16 include, butare not limited to, a television, a video camera, a video recorder, apersonal computer, a notebook computer, a computer monitor, a videodisplay, a keyboard, a printer, copying equipment, a calculator, afacsimile machine, a scanner, a digital storage device, a wirelesstransceiver, an internet router, a power supply, a data recorder, ananswering machine, a telephone, a cordless telephone, a cellulartelephone, a video game system, a personal digital assistant, a DVDplayer, VHS player, a VCR, a cassette deck, an 8 mm video player, a CDplayer, a Blackberry, a portable digital video player, an MP3 player, aradio, other music players, an audio speaker, a digital picture frame, aweather station, and a scale or balance.

The adapter 14 supplies at least one service to either the host 12 orthe consumer electronic device 16. The supply of the service can beuni-directional in that the adapter 14 supplies a service provided byone of the host 12 and the consumer electronic device 16 to the other ofthe host 12 and the consumer electronic device 16. The supply of theservice can also be bi-directional in that the adapter 14 can supply aservice from the host 12 to the consumer electronic device 16 and fromthe consumer electronic device 16 to the host 12. The adapter 14 itselfcan provide a service that is supplied to the host 12, the consumerelectronic device 16, or both, either uni-directionally ormulti-directionally. The service supplied by the adapter 14 can be ofthe same type or a different type than that supplied by either the host12 or the consumer electronic device 16.

The adapter 14 can comprise one or more adapter members. Exemplary typesof adapter members can include, but are not limited to, extenders anddevice holders. In general, an extender extends the service provided bythe host 12, the adapter 14, or the consumer electronic device 16. Anextender can be coupled between the host 12 and another adapter 14,between the host 12 and the consumer electronic device 16, between twoother adapters 14, or between another adapter 14 and the consumerelectronic device 16 to extend the service. Extenders are useful toallow the adapter 14 to be coupled to one surface of the host 12, whilethe consumer electronic device 16 is coupled to a different surface ofthe host 12 or to simply increase the distance between the host 12 andthe consumer electronic device 16. Device holders physically support theconsumer electronic device 16.

Exemplary services that the adapter 14 can supply include mechanicalcommunication, power communication, and data communication. Mechanicalcommunication is the physical coupling of two objects, such as betweenany combination of the host 12, the adapter 14, and the consumerelectronic device 16. The mechanical communication includes direct andindirect physical mounting, unless expressly stated otherwise. Physicalcoupling includes a fixed or removable mounting, unless expressly statedotherwise. Power communication is the coupling of two objects to supplypower to at least one of the objects. Data communication is the couplingof two objects to transmit data to at least one of the objects orexchange data between the objects. The mechanical, power, and datacommunication includes both uni-directional and multi-directionalcommunication, unless stated otherwise, between any combination of thehost 12, the adapter 14, and the consumer electronic device 16. Thepower and data communication includes wired and wireless communication,unless stated otherwise.

Illustrative applications of the services include the physical mountingof the consumer electronic device 16 to either the host 12 or adapter 14to place them in mechanical communication with each other. Powercommunication can include supplying power to the consumer electronicdevice 16 from either the host 12 or adapter 14 during operation as wellas charging the consumer electronic device 16 for later use. Wirelesspower communication can comprise any types of wireless powercommunication, including, without limitation for illustration purposes,microwave transmission, laser transmission, acoustical transmission, andmagnetic fields. Data communication can include exchanging data betweenthe host 12 or the adapter 14 and the consumer electronic device 16.Wireless data communication can comprise any type of wireless datacommunication, including, without limitation for illustration purposes,wireless network (a/k/a Wi-Fi), radio transmission, light transmission,and acoustical transmission.

Each service can comprise multiple categories of the service, where onecategory of a service is different in some way from another category ofthe same service. As an example, two possible categories of mechanicalcommunication are hanging the consumer electronic device 16 as opposedto docking the consumer electronic device 16. Exemplary categories ofpower communication include the type of power, e.g. AC or DC, suppliedto the consumer electronic device 16 and variations in thecharacteristics of the power, such as the voltage or current. Exemplarycategories of data communication include encrypted and unencrypted data.Data communication also includes communication for different protocols,including physical layer protocols and software layer protocols.Examples for physical layer protocols are a wired Ethernet and awireless (Wi-Fi) network, both of which support the same data packetstructure. The adapter 14 could effect communication between these twophysical layers. Examples of software layer protocol are Zigbee andBluetooth. The adapter 14 can be used to transform either of the Zigbeeand Bluetooth data packets into the other of the Zigbee and Bluetoothdata packets to effect communication between devices using a differentprotocol.

The adapter 14 can be configured to transform the service that itsupplies. For example, the adapter 14 could be configured to transformthe power supplied by changing the voltage or amount of available power.An anticipated transformation would be to change the voltage of thepower provided to the adapter 14 to another voltage that the adapter 14supplies. Another anticipated transformation is the changing of AC powerto DC. The data communication could be transformed such that the adapter14 changes unencrypted data to encrypted data or a standardcommunication protocol to a proprietary protocol. Other anticipatedtransformations include the changing from wired power to wireless power,from wired data to wireless data, or from standard power or standarddata to power with imbedded data.

The service supplied by the adapter 14 can be provided at least in partby the host 12. For example, the mechanical communication for theconsumer electronic device 16 can be provided in part by a horizontal orvertical surface of the host 12, the power supplied by the adapter 14can be provided through a power connection between the host 12 and anexternal power source, such as a mains electricity supply, and the datatransferred by the adapter 14 can by provided by the host 12, such asfrom the host controller, or through a data connection between the host12 and an external source, such as a computer network, atelecommunication network, or another appliance.

Alternately, the service supplied by the adapter 14 can be provided atleast in part by the use environment. The use environment, as usedherein, is the area surrounding the host 12. For example, in the casewhere the host 12 is an appliance, the use environment can be a nearbywall of a building or similar structural feature. The use environmentcan include sources of power and data, such as a mains electricitysupply or a computer network.

The term “provide,” and any variation thereof, as used herein denotesthe source of the service relative to the modular system 10, and is notlimited to the “provider” being the origin of the service. In otherwords, providing is used to denote the source of the service relative tothe host 12, the adapter 14, and the consumer electronic device 16,regardless of whether the service originates with the object thatprovides the service. The object that provides the service can simply bepassing on the service. For example, for a host 12 comprising anappliance that provides the service of power communication, theappliance can simply pass on electricity it receives from a householdoutlet. However, the same appliance can provide another service thatoriginates with the appliance, such as mechanical communication wherethe adapter 14 and the consumer electronic device 16 are physicallycoupled to the appliance. Moreover, the object that the service isprovided to is not necessarily the end receiver of the service. Theservice can simply be transmitted through the object that is providedwith the service. An object, such as the adapter 14, can be providedwith the service, such as from the host 12, and can transmit or supplythe service, such as to the consumer electronic device 16.

The host 12 and the consumer electronic device 16 each comprise at leastone service interface, respectively referred to herein as a host serviceinterface and a device service interface. The service interfaces can beintegrally formed with the host 12 or consumer electronic device 16, orit can be an add-on device. The service interfaces can be removable ornon-removable from the host 12 or consumer electronic device 16. Atleast one service can be provided to the adapter 14 through the hostservice interface, the device service interface, or both, and theadapter 14 can in turn supply that service through the other of the hostservice interface and the device service interface. As an example, for auni-directional service where the service is provided to from the host12 to the consumer electronic device 16 via the adapter 14, the servicecan be supplied to the adapter 14 through the host service interface,and to the consumer electronic device 16 through the device serviceinterface.

While the device service interface and host service interface can be thesame, it is anticipated that, in most cases, the device serviceinterface will be different from the host service interface. The term“different,” when used to describe the host and device serviceinterfaces, means that the host service interface and device serviceinterface cannot be directly coupled without one or both of theinterfaces losing some functionality. Different can also mean that thetwo service interfaces are incompatible. For example, the host serviceinterface and the device service interface can have different physicalconnectors for one or more of the services, thereby necessitating theadapter 14 to couple the physical connectors to establish theappropriate communication for the service.

The adapter 14 can comprise at least one component that enables aservice to be supplied between the host 12 and the consumer electronicdevice 16. The adapter component can provide, supply, or receive atleast one service. A single adapter component can enable the supply ofonly one service to the consumer electronic device 16 or it can enablethe supply of multiple services to the consumer electronic device 16.The adapter 14 can be provided with multiple adapter components thateach enable the supply of a different service to the consumer electronicdevice 16. One or more adapter components can form an adapter serviceinterface, similar to the host or device service interface, and cancouple with the host service interface, the device service interface, oranother adapter service interface to provide, transmit, or supply atleast one service.

The adapter component can couple with the host 12, the consumerelectronic device 16, or neither. The adapter component can comprise aconnector component, such as a connector component that forms a part ofa service interface, that enables the supply of the service through aphysical coupling with the host 12, consumer electronic device 16, oranother adapter 14, e.g. a plug fitting into a socket to enable powerdelivery, or through a non-physical coupling with the host 12, consumerelectronic device 16, or another adapter 14, e.g. a wireless connectionto enable data transfer. The adapter 14 can comprise a non-couplingcomponent. The adapter component can comprise a transformativecomponent, such as an electrical transformer, for changing the voltageof the power supply or an inverter to change the power from DC to AC.The adapter component can comprise a service interface that couples witha host service interface or a device service interface.

The adapter 14 can further comprise a functionality unrelated tosupplying the service between the host 12 and consumer electronic device16. The adapter functionality can operate independently of the host 12and the consumer electronic device 16, or it can enhance one or more ofthe functions of the host 12 and the consumer electronic device 16. Thefunctionality can be effected by one or more components of the adapter14. Examples of adapter functionality include, but are not limited to,consumer electronic device, a speaker, a user interface, a displayprojection, a media manager, a whiteboard, physical storage, applicationsoftware hosting, communications routing, power storage, microphone, anddata storage. An adapter 14 with consumer electronic devicefunctionality incorporates the entire functionality of one or moreconsumer electronic device as a function of the adapter 14. An adapter14 with speaker functionality comprises at least one audio speaker thatintensifies and makes speech or music audible. An adapter 14 with userinterface functionality comprises a display and/or an input area thatallows to user to interface with the host 12, adapter 14, consumerelectronic device 16, or an external source. An adapter 14 with calendarprojection functionality allows a calendar or schedule to be projectedvisually or audibly. An adapter 14 with media manager functionalityallows a user to manage all types of media (e.g. music, video, pictures,etc.). An adapter 14 with whiteboard functionality comprises aconventional whiteboard for temporarily writing messages and can beavailable to the user only when a consumer electronic device 16 is notcoupled to the adapter 14 or can be available at all times to the user.An adapter 14 with physical storage functionality comprises a storagecompartment for storing items, and may be particularity useful forstoring companion items for the consumer electronic devices 16, such asa remote control for a consumer electronic device comprising atelevision or DVDs for a consumer electronic device comprising a DVDplayer. An adapter 14 with power storage functionality comprises asource of stored power, such as a rechargeable battery. An adapter withdata storage functionality comprises means for storing data, such as ahard drive.

The adapter 14 can comprise more than one type of functionality. Forexample, the whiteboard functionality can be combined with the physicalstorage functionality for storing items commonly associated withwhiteboards, such as dry-erase markers and erasers.

Referring now to the schematic illustration of one configuration of themodular system 10 shown in FIG. 2, the consumer electronic device 16 iscoupled with the host 12 via the adapter 14. The consumer electronicdevice 16 is physically coupled with the adapter 14, which is in turnphysically coupled with the host 12. In this way, the adapter 14 is inmechanical communication with the host 12, and the consumer electronicdevice 16 is in mechanical communication with the adapter 14, whichplaces the consumer electronic device 16 in mechanical communicationwith the host 12. Thus, the mechanical communication is direct betweenthe adapter 14 and both the host 12 and consumer electronic device 16and indirect between the consumer electronic device 16 and the host 12.

The consumer electronic device 16 can be provided with a user interface17 to enable the user to interact with the consumer electronic device 16or receive a functional output from the consumer electronic device 16.The user interface 17 can comprise a video display, a touch screen,control knobs or buttons, a data display, a keypad, a printer orfacsimile page output, a microphone, a speaker, a video or still camera,and the like.

Referring to FIG. 3, a schematic exploded side view of the modularsystem 10 is shown, where the host 12 comprises a host service interface18 that couples with a first component or first adapter serviceinterface 22 of the adapter 14, and the consumer electronic device 16comprises a device service interface 20 that couples with a secondcomponent or second adapter service interface 24 of the adapter 14. Atleast one service is provided to the adapter 14 through the couplingwith the host service interface 18 or the device service interface 20.At least one service is supplied to the consumer electronic device 16through the device service interface 20 or to the host 12 through thehost service interface 18, or, in the case of a multi-directionalservice, both.

It is anticipated that a common implementation will include a singlehost 12, a single adapter 14, and a single consumer electronic device16. However, it is within the scope of the invention for one or all ofthe host 12, adapter 14, and consumer electronic device 16 to be in aplural arrangement. An illustrative example includes multiple hosts 12concurrently coupled to one consumer electronic device 16 by one or moreadapters 14. Another illustrative example includes multiple consumerelectronic devices 16 coupled to a single host 12 by one or moreadapters 14.

For a modular system comprising multiple hosts 12, each of the hosts 12can be provided with a common, standardized host service interface 18.For example, competing home appliance manufactures may have differenthost service interfaces 18, but each manufacturer may carry the samestandardized host service interface 18 throughout its own line of homeappliances. For a modular system with multiple adapters 14 and a singlehost 12, the host 12 can interchangeably couple with any one of theadapters 14. The multiple adapters 14 preferably have a standardizedcomponent that is received by the host service interface 18 so that thehost 12 can interchangeably receive the adapters 14. Manufacturers ofthe consumer electronic devices 16 may also choose to carry astandardized device service interface 20 throughout its own line ofconsumer electronic devices 16. Therefore, different adapters 14 can beprovided for coupling the standardized interface for a consumerelectronic device 16 of one manufacturer to the standardized interfaceof an appliance for another manufacturer and enabling the communicationof a service therebetween. This eliminates the need for allmanufacturers of the consumer electronic devices 16 to use the samestandardized interface and increases the utility of the hosts 12 and theconsumer electronic devices 16.

Specific embodiments of modular systems containing these features, aswell as some additional features will now be described. Other examplesof modular systems are described in the following related applications:U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,900 entitled “A System forSupplying Service from an Appliance to Multiple Consumer ElectronicDevices”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,754 entitled “A Systemfor Connecting Dissimilar Consumer Electronic Devices to a Host”; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/619,836 entitled “An Appliance with anAdapter to Simultaneously Couple Multiple Consumer Electronic Devices”;U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,907 entitled “An Appliance withan Adapter to Alternately Couple Multiple Consumer Electronic Devices”;U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,922 entitled “An Appliance witha Removable Adapter and a Removable Consumer Electronic Device”; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/619,894 entitled “A Host with MultipleAdapters for Coupling Consumer Electronic Devices”; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/619,806 entitled “An Adapter for Coupling a Hostand Consumer Electronic Device Having Dissimilar StandardizedInterfaces”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,817 entitled “AHost with Multiple Adapters for Multiple Consumer Electronic Devices”;U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,845 entitled “Multiple Hostswith Multiple Adapters for Multiple Consumer Electronic Devices”; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/619,850 entitled “An Appliance Door witha Service Interface”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,912entitled “A Cabinet Door with a Service Interface”; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/619,873 entitled “A Refrigerator Dispenser witha Service Interface and Adapter for a Consumer Electronic Device”; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/619,904 entitled “A Service Supply Moduleand Adapter for a Consumer Electronic Device”; U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/619,767 entitled “Host and Adapter for Docking a ConsumerElectronic Device in Discrete Orientations”; U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/619,772 entitled “Host and Adapter for SelectivelyPositioning a Consumer Electronic Display in Visible and ConcealedOrientations”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/619,775 entitled“Host and Adapter for Selectively Positioning a Consumer ElectronicDevice in Accessible and Inaccessible Orientations”; U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/619,718 entitled “Functional Adapter for aConsumer Electronic Device”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/650,222entitled “Acoustic Chamber as Part of Adapter or Appliance”; and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/649,932 entitled “Electrical AccessoryCharging Compartment For A Cabinet”, all of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

In one embodiment, the adapter 14 and the consumer electronic device 16form a functional unit when removed from the host 12. When removed fromthe host 12, the adapter 14 supplies to the consumer electronic device16 at least one service that enables the consumer electronic device 16to function or be of use in the same manner or different manner as whencoupled to the host 12. The service supplied to the consumer electronicdevice 16 by the adapter 14 when removed from the host 12 can beprovided by the adapter 14, an external provider, or a combinationthereof. Furthermore, the service supplied to the consumer electronicdevice 16 by the adapter 14 when removed from the host 12 can be thesame service or a service different than the service supplied betweenthe consumer electronic device 16 and the host 12 when coupled to thehost 12. The service supplied to the consumer electronic device 16 bythe adapter 14 when removed from the host 12 can comprise multipleservices, which can include at least one of the aforementionedmechanical communication, electrical communication, and datacommunication.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an embodiment of the modular system 10 havingthe functional unit comprises the host 12 in the form a householdappliance, particularly a refrigerator 30 having a cabinet 32 and a door34, and the consumer electronic device 16 in the form of a digital imagedisplay 36, also known as a digital picture frame, coupled to the door34 by the adapter 14. The adapter 14 comprises a main body 38 dependingfrom an upper flange 40. The main body 38 includes a frame 42 thatcircumscribes the digital image display 36, which sits behind the frame42. The digital image display 36, which can display still and/or movingimages, and the frame 42 together have an appearance similar to that ofa picture frame. The upper flange 40 rests on an upper surface of thedoor 34 and, as shown in FIG. 5, includes a pair of downwardly extendinganchors 44 that are received within corresponding anchor receivers 46 inthe upper surface of the door 34. Together, the upper flange 40 and theanchors 44 form a mechanical coupling or hanger to hang the adapter 14and the digital image display 36 from the door 34. Each of the anchors44 include a downwardly open receptacle 48A, 48B configured to receive acorresponding plug 50 located in the anchor receivers 46. Thereceptacles 48A, 48B and plugs 50 mate when the adapter 14 is mounted tothe door 34 to establish power and data communication, as will bedescribed in more detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a first rear access panel 52 removably mountedto a rear side of the main body 38 of the adapter 14 enables user accessto the digital image display 36. When the first rear access panel 52 isremoved, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the user can access the digital imagedisplay 36, such as for repair or replacement. The first rear accesspanel 52 can include a stand 53 to facilitate utilizing the functionalunit comprising the adapter 14 and the consumer electronic device 16when removed from the host 12. A finger slot 54 on the rear access panel52 facilitates handling of the rear access panel 52 by a user. To helpposition and retain the first rear access panel 52 on the adapter 14,the adapter 14 comprises a retainer 56 having a slot configured toreceive a lower edge of the first rear access panel 52. Between thefirst rear access panel 52 and the digital image display 36, a clamp 58having a shape generally corresponding to the perimeter of the of thedigital image display 36 secures the digital image display 36 to themain body 36, whereby the digital image display 36 is sandwiched betweenthe clamp 58 and the frame 42.

Referring back to FIG. 6, the adapter 14 further comprises a second rearaccess panel 60, which, when removed from the adapter 14, enables useraccess to a channel 62, as shown in FIG. 7. The channel 62 receives afirst wire 64A coupling one of the receptacles 48A with the digitalimage display 36 and a second wire 64B coupling the other of thereceptacles 48B with the digital image display 36. The first wire 64Aestablishes power communication between the receptacle 48A and thedigital image display 36, while the second wire 64B establishes datacommunication between the receptacle 48B and the digital image display36. The first and second wires 64A, 64B can be removably coupled to thedigital image display 36 so that the digital image display 36 can beremoved from the adapter 14 if desired. The channel 62 further receivesa power actuator 66 having a finger tab 68 extending laterally from thechannel 62 and beyond a side of the main body 38 for access by a userand an actuating protrusion 70 extending laterally from the channel 62toward the digital image display 36. Depression of the finger tab 68 bythe user moves the actuating protrusion 70 laterally into contact with apower switch 72 on the digital image display 36.

The adapter 14 further comprises means for supplying a service when theadapter 14 and the consumer electronic device 16, which is the digitalimage display 36 in this embodiment, are removed from the host 12. Inparticular, the stand 53, which is shown in FIG. 6, provides andsupplies mechanical communication when the adapter 14 and the digitalimage display 36 are removed from the host 12, and a power source 72 anda data communication device 76, which are shown schematically in FIG. 7,supply and provide power communication and data communication,respectively, to the digital image display 36 when the adapter 14 andthe digital image display 36 are removed from the host 12.

The power source 72 can be any suitable device that provides power tothe digital image display 36. The power source 72 can be coupled to thereceptacle 48A associated with power communication, such as via thefirst wire 64A by a connection 74. Optionally, the power source 72 canbe rechargeable and can be recharged via the receptacle 48A when theadapter 14 is coupled to the host 12. For example, the power source 72can be a rechargeable battery, such as any well-known type ofrechargeable battery, including rechargeable NiMH, Ni—Cd, and Li-ionbatteries. Another example of the rechargeable power source 72 can be amanually powered electric generator, such as a hand crank electricgenerator. As another option, the power source 72 can be a stand-alonepower source that does not couple with the receptacle 48A associatedwith power communication. In this case, the power source 72 can beremovable and recharged externally of the adapter 14. For example, thepower source 72 can be a rechargeable battery that can be removed fromthe adapter 14, recharged, and returned to the adapter 14.Alternatively, the power source 72 can be a non-rechargeable batterythat can be removed and replaced when drained of power. When the powersource 72 is rechargeable, the adapter 14 can include an indicator, suchas a visual indicator comprising a light, communicating to the user acharging state, such as fully charged, fully drained, and currentlycharging, of the power source 72. As another option, the power source 72can be a receptacle for receiving a plug of a cord that couples theadapter 14 to an external power source, such as a wall socket. Forexample, the digital image display 36 can include a receptacle forreceiving a plug of an electrical cord coupled to an external powersupply, and the adapter 14 can comprise a plug that mimics the plug onthe electrical cord and a receptacle that mimics the receptacle on thedigital image display 36. As a result of this configuration, thereceptacle on the digital image display 36 can receive the plug on theadapter 14 to couple the digital image display 36 to the adapter 14, andthe receptacle on the adapter 14 can be coupled to the plug of theelectrical cord for supplying power to the digital image display 36 fromthe external power supply. The electrical cord, therefore, can be usedboth with the digital image display 36 alone and with the digital imagedisplay 36 coupled to the adapter 14. The power source 72 can be coupledto the digital image display 36 in any suitable manner and is shown asbeing coupled to the digital image display 36 via the connection 74 andthe first wire 64A for exemplary purposes only.

The data communication device 76 can be any suitable device thatprovides data communication to the digital image display 36. Forexample, the data communication device 76 can comprise a wirelessdevice, such as a wireless network adapter or modem, that wirelesslyconnects to a communication network, such as the Internet.Alternatively, the data communication device 76 can comprise a device,such as a network adapter or modem, that includes a port to receive awired connection to a communication network, such as the Internet. Thedata communication device 76 can be employed, for example, to connectthe digital image display 36 to a URL for receiving image files fordisplay on the digital image display 36. The data communication device76 can be coupled to the digital image display 36 in any suitable mannerand is shown as being coupled to the digital image display 36 via thesecond wire 64B for exemplary purposes only.

In operation, a user mounts the adapter 14 and the digital image display36 to the refrigerator 30 by inserting the anchors 44 into the anchorreceivers 46, whereby the plugs 50 are inserted into the receptacles48A, 48B to establish the power and data communication. In thisconfiguration, the adapter 14 and the digital image display 36 hang fromthe refrigerator door 32, as shown in FIG. 1.

The mechanical, power, and data communication in the modular system 10when the adapter 14 and the digital image display 36 are coupled to thehost 12 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 8. In particular, theanchors 44 supply the mechanical communication between the host 12 andthe consumer electronic device 36, as indicated by the solid line A; theadapter 14 supplies power communication from the host 12, i.e., therefrigerator 30, to the consumer electronic device 16, i.e., the digitalimage display 36, as indicated by the dotted line B; and the adapter 14supplies data communication from the host 12, i.e., the refrigerator 30,to the consumer electronic device 16, i.e., the digital image display36, as indicated by the dash-dot-dash line C. Additionally, the powersource 72, if comprising a rechargeable power source, can be rechargedfrom the power communication from the host 12, as indicated by thedotted line D.

To remove the digital image display 36 from the refrigerator 30, theuser removes the anchors 44 from the anchor receivers 46, whereby theplugs 50 are removed from the receptacles 48A, 48B. This processdiscontinues the supply of the mechanical, power, and data communicationbetween the refrigerator 30 and the digital image display 36. However,as described above, the adapter 14 and the digital image display 36 forma functional unit that can function or be of use independently of therefrigerator 30. For example, the stand 53 on the adapter 14 can beutilized to support the adapter 14 and the digital image display 36 on agenerally horizontal surface 78, as illustrated in FIG. 9, in a mannersimilar to supporting a conventional picture frame on a generallyhorizontal surface.

The mechanical, power, and data communication in the modular system 10when the adapter 14 and the digital image display 36 are removed fromthe host 12 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 10. In particular, thestand 53 provides and supplies mechanical communication between thegenerally horizontal surface 78, which is shown as another host in FIG.10, and the consumer electronic device 16, i.e., the digital imagedisplay 36, as indicated by the solid line E; the power source 72 of theadapter 14 provides and supplies power communication to the consumerelectronic device 16, i.e., the digital image display 36, as indicatedby the dotted line F; and the data communication device 76 of theadapter 14 provides and supplies data communication to the consumerelectronic device 16, i.e., the digital image display 36, as indicatedby the dash-dot-dash line G.

While the functional unit comprising the adapter 14 and the digitalimage display 36 is shown and described as being coupled to another hostwhen removed from the host 12, it is not required that the functionalunit be coupled with another host when removed from the host 12. Thefunctional unit can function or be of use without another host, such aswhen held in the hands of a user. Furthermore, it is not required thatthe adapter 14 supply all three of the mechanical, power, and datacommunication services when the functional unit is removed from the host12; the adapter 14 need only supply one service to the digital imagedisplay 16 when the adapter 14 and the digital image display 16 areremoved from the host 12. In one example, the adapter 14 supplies onlythe mechanical communication, while the digital image display 36 has itsown internal power supply, such as a rechargeable or non-rechargeablebattery, and a memory, either integrated or removable, that stores theimage files for display, rather than relying on data communication forthe image files.

In one aspect, the adapter 14 of the functional unit can be thought ofas providing and supplying to the consumer electronic device 16, whenremoved from the host 12, one or more services provided by the host 12and supplied by the adapter 14 when the consumer electronic device 16 iscoupled to the host 12. In other words, the adapter 14 replaces one ormore services that the host 12 provides. However, the adapter 14 neednot provide the service; rather, another host or device can provide theservice when the adapter 14 and the consumer electronic device 16 areremoved from the host 12, and the adapter 14 can supply the service fromthe other host or device to the consumer electronic device 16. Forexample, the adapter 14 can comprise means for coupling the other hostor device to the consumer electronic device 16. However, it is notnecessary for another host or device to provide the service; the servicecan be inherent to the functional unit.

Another embodiment of the functional unit comprising the adapter 14′ andthe consumer electronic device 16′ in the form of the digital imagedisplay 36′ is illustrated in FIG. 11, where components similar to thoseof the embodiment of the functional unit in FIG. 4 are identified withthe same reference numeral bearing a prime symbol (′). The functionalunit of FIG. 11 is substantially identical to that of FIG. 4, exceptthat the functional unit of FIG. 11 includes a USB receptacle 80, whichcan be employed in addition to or in place of the power source 72 and/orthe data communication device 76. For example, the USB receptacle 80 canreceive an external provider in the form of a USB fob 82 that providespower and/or data communication, which the adapter 14′ supplies to thedigital image display 36′. Alternatively or additionally, the USB fob 82can provide memory that stores the image files, which the adapter 14′supplies to the digital image display 36′ for display. The USB fob 82can provide any suitable service, which the adapter 14′ supplies to thedigital image display 36′.

In other embodiments, the external provider can have any form, and theUSB fob is only one example of the external provider. Other examples ofan external provider are the manually powered electric generator and abattery pack, which can be coupled to the adapter 14, 14′ when theadapter 14, 14′ is coupled with the host 12 or is separate from the host12.

An alternative embodiment of the modular system 10″ having thefunctional unit comprising the adapter 14″ and the consumer electronicdevice 16″ is illustrated in FIG. 12. In this embodiment, the consumerelectronic device 16″ is in the form of an audio device 90. The adapter14″ is similar to the adapters 14, 14′ of FIGS. 4 and 11, except thatthe adapter 14″ supports the audio device 90 rather than the digitalimage display 36 and also includes a speaker 92 and a speaker volumeactuator 94. Examples of the audio device 90 include, but are notlimited to, a radio, a satellite radio, a CD player, and a digital audioplayer, such as an mp3 player. The audio device 90 of the illustratedembodiment is a satellite radio, and the data communication device 76″of the adapter 14″ can be in the form of an antenna for the satelliteradio.

In operation, the functional unit comprising the adapter 14″ and theaudio device 90 in the form of the satellite radio can be mounted to thehost 12 in the form of the refrigerator 30″, as shown in FIG. 12,whereby the adapter 14″ supplies mechanical, power, and datacommunication between the host 12″ and the audio device 90. Thefunctional unit can be removed from the host 12″ and function or be ofuse independently of the host 12″. For example, the power supply 72″ ofthe adapter can provide and supply power communication to the audiodevice 90, and the data communication device 76″ can provide and supplydata communication to the audio device 90. The functional unit can alsobe supported on a generally horizontal surface with the stand 53″ (notshown in FIG. 12) or other mechanical support.

Another embodiment of the modular system 10′″ having the functional unitcomprising the adapter 14′″ and the consumer electronic device 16′″ isillustrated in FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a schematic drawing showing genericembodiments of the host 12′″, the adapter 14′″, and the consumerelectronic device 16′″ and the corresponding host, adapter, and deviceservice interfaces 18′″-24′″. Electrical power and/or data can beprovided by the host 12′″ to the host service interface 18′″ through anelectrical/data connection with the host 12′″, indicated by a wire 100terminating at the host service interface 18′″. In this embodiment, thehost service interface 18′″ on the host 12′″ and the device serviceinterface 20′″ on the device 16′″ are incompatible, such as mechanicallyincompatible or electrically incompatible. When the service interfaces18′″, 20′″ are mechanically incompatible, the host service interface18′″ and the device service interface 20′″ cannot be physicallyconnected to each other. For example, the host and device serviceinterfaces 18′″, 20′″ can be of a different size or shape or have adifferent number, arrangement, or shape of connector pins and pinreceptacles. When the service interfaces 18′″, 20′″ are electricallyincompatible, the host service interface 18′″ and the device serviceinterface 20′″ have differing electrical configurations. For example,the host service interface 18′″ can be configured to supply AC powerwhile the device service interface 20′″ can be configured to receive DCpower.

The adapter 14′″ couples the consumer electronic device 16′″ to the host12′″ and remedies the incompatibility of the host and device serviceinterfaces 18′″, 20′″. In particular, the first adapter serviceinterface 22′″ is configured, such as mechanically and/or electrically,to mate with the host service interface 18′″, and the second adapterservice interface 24′″ is configured, such as mechanically and/orelectrically, to mate with the device service interface 20′″. As aresult of the host service interface 18′″/first adapter serviceinterface 22′″ compatibility and of the device service interface20′″/second adapter service interface 24′″ compatibility, the adapter14′″ enables the consumer electronic device 16′″ to couple with the host12′″.

When the consumer electronic device 16′″ and the adapter 14′″ arecoupled with the host 12′″, the adapter 14′″ can supply at least oneservice between the host 12′″ and the consumer electronic device 16′″.Further, as in the previous embodiments described above, the consumerelectronic device 16′″ and the adapter 14′″ form a functional unit thatcan function or be of use as a stand-alone unit when not coupled withthe host 12′″. The second adapter interface 24′″ and the device adapterinterface 20′″ can, therefore, also serve as a connector for removablycoupling the consumer electronic device 16′″ to the adapter 14′″ whenthe consumer electronic device 16′″ and the adapter 14′″ are used as astand-alone unit separate from the host 12′″ as well as when theconsumer electronic device 16′″ and the adapter 14′″ are coupled to thehost 12′″. The first adapter interface 22′″ and the host adapterinterface 18′″ serve as a connector for removably coupling the adapter14′″ to the host 12′″ when the adapter 14′″ is coupled to the host 12′″.

All of the disclosed embodiments of the adapter and consumer electronicdevice have the unique ability to function as a stand-alone unit whenuncoupled from the host, which is also portable. The adapter of thecombination can provide and supply a service to the consumer electronicdevice when operating as a stand-alone unit. The adapter can alsoprovide a function that is different from the service.

While the invention has been specifically described in connection withcertain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that thisis by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of theappended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art willpermit.

1-32. (canceled)
 33. An information center for use in connection with anappliance, the information center comprising: a base comprising: a firstsupport member adapted to connect the image display to the appliance, asecond support member adapted to alternatively support the base on ahorizontal surface, and a connector for receiving data, and an imagedisplay mounted to the base and adapted to receive and display data fromthe connector.
 34. The information center of claim 33, wherein thesecond mechanical support service comprises a retractable stand thatsupports the adapter and the image display on any generally horizontalsurface.
 35. The information center of claim 33, wherein the connectorcomprises a receptacle for a USB device.
 36. The information center ofclaim 33, wherein the connector is also capable of receiving power. 37.The information center of claim 33, wherein the image display comprisesa digital image display.
 38. The information center of claim 33, whereinthe consumer electronic device is coupled to the adapter by a fixedcoupling.
 39. The information center of claim 33, wherein the basecomprises a writing surface.
 40. The information center of claim 39,wherein the base comprises a white board.
 41. The information center ofclaim 33, wherein the base comprises a physical storage compartment. 42.The information center of claim 33, wherein the electronic device isremovably coupled to the base.
 43. The adapter of claim 33, wherein theelectronic device is fixedly coupled to the base.
 44. A informationcenter for use in connection with a refrigerator, the information centercomprising: a base comprising: a first support member adapted to connectthe image display to the refrigerator, a second support member adaptedto alternatively support the base on a horizontal surface, and aconnector for receiving data, and a image display removably mounted tothe base and adapted to receive and display data from the connector. 45.The information center of claim 44, wherein the second mechanicalsupport service comprises a retractable stand that supports the adapterand the image display on any generally horizontal surface.
 46. Theinformation center of claim 44, wherein the connector comprises areceptacle for a USB device.
 47. The information center of claim 44,wherein the connector is also capable of receiving power.
 48. Theinformation center of claim 44, wherein the consumer electronic deviceis coupled to the adapter by a fixed coupling.
 49. The informationcenter of claim 44, wherein the base comprises a writing surface. 50.The information center of claim 49, wherein the base comprises a whiteboard.
 51. The information center of claim 44, wherein the basecomprises a physical storage compartment.
 52. The information center ofclaim 44, wherein the image display provides schedule information. 53.The information center of claim 44, wherein the image display providesmessages.